THE ART OF COST ALLOCATIONS FOR BETTER MANAGEMENT

Transcription

1 THE ART OF COST ALLOCATIONS FOR BETTER MANAGEMENT cliftonlarsonallen.com Jacqueline Eckman, CPA Principal, Public Sector Group

2 AGENDA 1 Introductions allocation types Functional allocations Indirect rate allocations Fully-loaded allocations Conclusion & discussion 2

3 3 ALLOCATION TYPES Functional, Indirect Rate, and Fully-Loaded cliftonlarsonallen.com 3

4 3 ALLOCATION TYPES FUNCTIONAL Required by accounting standards Included in audit and 990 and specifically identified on Guidestar Used by donors, charity watchdogs, etc. INDIRECT COST RATE Required for those with federal contracts Specific direction given through OMB A-122 Used by the Federal Government and tested in single audits FULLY-LOADED Optional Allocates all expenses to programs to identify true resource requirements Used for management and board decision-making 4

5 3 ALLOCATION TYPES All expenses are identified within three categories: Program Fundraising Management and Administration IRS requires only that a nonprofit uses a reasonable basis for allocating expenses into these 3 categories Many organizations use employee time as a key driver of overhead cost allocation 5

6 3 ALLOCATION TYPES Used for cost reimbursable grants, contracts, and other agreements awarded by the Federal Government The purpose is to identify what proportion of indirect cost each program should bear The rate is a ratio between total indirect expenses and some direct cost base 6

7 3 ALLOCATION TYPES Theoretically assumes that a program cannot run without administrative and fundraising support; likewise it assumes that the administration and fundraising components would not exist other than for the support of programs Allows management and boards to identify the true cost of each program in order to make more well-informed decisions about program expansion, contraction, elimination, or subsidies 7

8 3 ALLOCATION TYPES Allocations are not mutually exclusive Your organization may use one, two, or all three types of allocations for different purposes You may be able to use the information gathered for one type of allocation, organized in a new way, to depict another type of allocation NOTE: If you are/want to use multiple allocations, it is helpful to call them something other than allocations around the office they are easily confused! 8

9 EXTERNAL FUNCTIONAL ALLOCATIONS Functional allocations for external reporting cliftonlarsonallen.com 9

10 PRESENTATION REQUIREMENTS Voluntary Health and Welfare organizations (like Catholic Charities) = Statement of Functional Expense Others = At a minimum, either on the Statement of Activities or in a footnote 990 = All 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations Financial Reporting Executive Committee now recommends that all nonprofits that are supported by the general public (20-30% or more of total revenue) present a Statement of Functional Expenses. 10

11 WHY? Donors and watchdogs use to judge organization effectiveness. Discussion: How has your Statement of Functional Expense or 990 been used by the public? 11

12 CATEGORIES Program Supporting Activities Management and General (Administration) Fundraising 12

13 PROGRAM COSTS Costs associated with direct mission work Number of programs detailed out varies by entity

14 MANAGEMENT AND GENERAL COSTS Costs of administering the organization Examples Business management Accounting/recordkeeping Budgeting Soliciting funds other than contributions, including for exchange transactions (even if program related) Informing the public about the entity s stewardship of contributions All administration except for direct conduct of program services or fundraising

15 FUNDRAISING COSTS Working with potential donors to solicit contributions (cash, services, in-kinds, other assets)

16 FUNCTIONAL ALLOCATIONS Step 1: Separate Direct from Indirect Expenses DIRECT EXPENSES INDIRECT EXPENSES Programspecific marketing Direct Salaries Facility Expenses Mangement Salaries Travel Insurance Program A Program B Program C Allocate 16

17 FUNCTIONAL ALLOCATIONS Step 2: Identify Allocation Methods for Indirect Expenses Staff Time Square Footage Full Time Equivalents Total Salary Functional allocations are an estimate. Use your best judgment. 17

18 FUNCTIONAL ALLOCATIONS Step 3: Determine Method for Each Expense Staff Time Allocation Method Office supplies Telephone Travel The way staff spend their time is the primary driver for these expenses 18

19 FUNCTIONAL ALLOCATIONS Step 4: Apply Allocations to Indirect Expenses Allocation Method Staff Time: 25% - A 25% - B 15% - C 25% - Admin 10% - Fundraising Indirect Expense Office supplies: $10,000 Allocation Program A: $2,500 Program B: $2,500 Program C: $1,500 Admin: $2,500 Fundraising: $1,000 19

20 FUNCTIONAL ALLOCATIONS Step 5: Report and Defend Funders often judge an organization by their program percentage. Discussion: How can you change the focus away from just the percentages? 20

21 INDIRECT COST RATE Allocations for federal grant reporting purposes cliftonlarsonallen.com 21

22 INDIRECT COST RATE ALLOCATIONS How many of you currently use an indirect cost rate or are required to use an approved indirect cost rate? 22

23 INDIRECT COST RATE ALLOCATIONS A device for determining fairly and conveniently within the boundaries of sound administrative principles, what proportion of indirect cost each program should bear: Provisional or billing rate: temporary indirect cost rate applicable to a specified period used for funding and reimbursement, and reporting indirect costs on awards pending the establishment of a final rate for the period Final rate: indirect cost rate applicable to a specified past period which is based on the actual costs of the period (not subject to adjustment) Predetermined rate: permanent rate established for a specified current or future period and not subject to adjustment. May also be used on awards where there is reasonable assurance that the rate is not likely to exceed a rate based on the organization s actual costs 23

24 INDIRECT COST RATE ALLOCATIONS Simplified Multiple Rate Direct Allocation Three Basic Methods for Non Profits Note: See OMB Circular A-122 for computation instructions, as well as the conditions in when to use each method 24

25 INDIRECT COST RATE ALLOCATIONS SIMPLIFIED ALLOCATION METHOD Used whenever the major functions of an organization benefit from its indirect costs to approximately the same degree Allocation of indirect costs may be accomplished by: 1. Classifying the total cost for the base period (usually the organization s fiscal year) as either direct or indirect 2. Dividing the total allowable indirect costs (net of applicable credits) by an equitable distribution base. Indirect cost rate is used to distribute indirect costs to individual Federal financial assistance programs and contracts Both direct and indirect costs exclude capital expenditures and unallowable costs, but these are included in direct cost base. 25

26 INDIRECT COST RATE ALLOCATIONS SIMPLIFIED ALLOCATION EXAMPLE Allocation Grant A Indirect Expense Classification Rent Indirect Cost Pool Program B Program C 26

27 INDIRECT COST RATE ALLOCATIONS DIRECT ALLOCATION METHOD Used by organizations that treat all costs as direct costs EXCEPT general administration and expenses Generally separate costs into three basic categories: 1. General administration and expenses 2. Fund raising 3. Other direct functions (including projects performed under Federal awards) Joint costs (i.e depreciation, rent, maintenance, utilities) are prorated individually as direct costs to each category and to each award or other activity using a BASE most appropriate to the particular cost being prorated 27

28 INDIRECT COST RATE ALLOCATIONS DIRECT ALLOCATION EXAMPLE Rent Expense Indirect Cost Pool Grant A Contract B Contract C Note: Only rent expense allocated to the indirect pool is the indirect portion of rent expense as a whole

29 INDIRECT COST RATE ALLOCATIONS DIRECT ALLOCATION BASES The Allocation Base Selected by the Non Profit Organization Must Be: Reasonable and consistently applied to direct costs Supported by accurate and current data Appropriate to the particular cost being distributed, and One which results in an accurate measure of the benefits provided to each activity or the organization 29

30 INDIRECT COST RATE ALLOCATIONS DIRECT ALLOCATION BASE SUGGESTIONS Type of Service: Legal service Building lease & management Accounting Office space usage and related costs (utilities, janitorial) Personnel administration Employees retirement system administration Suggested Allocation Base: Direct hours Number of leases Number transactions processed Square feet of space occupied Number of employees Number of employees contributing 30

31 INDIRECT COST RATE ALLOCATIONS OTHER NOTES An Organization that receives more than $10 million in Federal funding of direct costs in a fiscal year must break out indirect costs into two components: Facilities: depreciation and use allowances on buildings, equipment and capital improvements; interest on debt associated with certain buildings, equipment and capital improvements; and operations and maintenance expenses Administration: general administration and general expenses such as the director s office, accounting, personnel, library expenses and all other types of expenditures not listed specifically under one of the subcategories of Facilities 31

32 FULLY-LOADED ALLOCATIONS Internal allocations for better decision making cliftonlarsonallen.com 32

33 FULLY-LOADED ALLOCATIONS How many of you currently use a process where you allocate all of your costs to programs to identify the true costs of each program? 33

34 FULLY-LOADED ALLOCATIONS The ideal setup for completing and using a fully-loaded allocation at your organization includes: Accounting and reporting system that delineates profit centers from the cost center(s) Ability to identify or estimate Management and Administrative staff time spent supporting each program Willingness by staff and board to evaluate financial results in new ways 34

35 FULLY-LOADED ALLOCATIONS Step 1: Record Expenses DIRECT EXPENSES INDIRECT EXPENSES Programspecific marketing Direct Salaries Facility Expenses Mangement Salaries Travel Insurance Program A Program B Program C Management & Administration 35

36 FULLY-LOADED ALLOCATIONS Step 2: Identify Allocation Methods Staff Time Square Footage % Direct Expenses Multi-Step Allocations 36

37 FULLY-LOADED ALLOCATIONS Step 3: Determine Method for Each Expense Staff Time Allocation Method Administrative salaries Administrative benefits Travel Employee recognition The way staff spend their time is the primary driver for these expenses 37

38 FULLY-LOADED ALLOCATIONS Step 4: Apply Allocations to Indirect Expenses Allocation Allocation Method Staff Time: 25% - A 37% - B 38% - C Indirect Expense Administrative salaries: $500,000 Program A: $125,000 Program B: $185,000 Program C: $190,000 38

39 FULLY-LOADED ALLOCATIONS Step 5: Total and Report There are many options for how you can report the information Try to identify the most intuitive/logical reporting structure for your organization We recommend separating the direct and indirect expenses 39

40 CASE STUDY A $1M Swing cliftonlarsonallen.com 40

41 Original Reporting Structure Profit-center Profit-center Issue: combined profitcenter & cost-center Issue: unclear G&A allocation

42 Recommended Allocation Methods A: Staff Time B: % Direct C: Multi-Step

43 Recommended Allocations Staff Time Allocation Average estimated time split per division Accounts Salaries/Gross Wages FICA Taxes State Unemployment Taxes Long Term Disability Short Term Disability Benefits- Health Insurance Workers Compensation Insurance 403B Match Employee Recognition Telephone Training Expense Travel Expense Admin. Building Depreciation A: Staff Time B: % Direct C: Multi-Step

44 Recommended Allocations Allocating expenses based on the portion of total direct division expenses Accounts Public Relations Director's & Officers Insurance Postage Development Signage Key Man Life Insurance Board Mtgs/Lunches Receptions Van/Fuel Service Bank Charges Advertising - Magazine Audit & Tax Fees Brokerage Charges Advertising - Newspaper Legal Fees Other Expense Advertising - Radio Contract Labor Recruiting Expense Advertising - TV Outside Services Business Meals Advertising - Other Office Supplies Dues & Subscriptions A: Staff Time B: % Direct C: Multi-Step

45 Recommended Allocations Allocations requiring multiple steps IT Services Step 1: allocate to all 4 divisions based on number of users Step 2: allocate G&A expense to profit-centers based on time allocation Accounts Computer Supplies Software Support A: Staff Time B: % Direct C: Multi-Step

46 Recommended Allocations IT Expenses Step 1: Method: Number Users G&A Program 1 Program 2 Program 3 Step 2: Method: Staff Time Program 1 Program 2 Program 3 A: Staff Time B: % Direct C: Multi-Step

47 New Internal Financial Reporting Format

48 Revised Budget and Reporting Profit-center Profit-center Profit-center Organization Inc. Income Statement by Program Budget for the 12 Months Ended 6/30/2013 Cost-center Program 1 Program 2 Program 3 G&A Total Revenue Admissions 5,442,084 9,093, ,942 14,806,993 Real Estate Rental Income ,000 Advertising Income - 250, ,000 Contract Service Revenue - 929, ,000 1,129,842 Contributions and Grants 2,550,000 3,750,000 1,000,000 7,300,000 Processing Fees - 350,000 - Other Income 27,600 33,840-62,180 Total Revenue 8,019,684 14,407,649 1,470,942-24,811,015

49 Revised Budget and Reporting Program 1 Program 2 Program 3 G&A Total Direct Expenses Salaries/Gross Wages 404, , ,050 3,391,700 5,240,435 Stagehands & Usher Wages 420, ,060 40,456-1,181,924 Musicians & Conductor Salaries 3,708, , ,825,331 Employee Benefits & Taxes 831, , , ,539 1,935,658 Artist & Exhibit Fees 1,380,034 4,754, ,059-6,593,044 Production & Operating 313, ,509 40,600-1,164,076 Concession COGS - 474, , ,023 Rent Expense 5,900 76,104 5, ,340 Marketing/PR 493, , , ,317 1,823,690 IT 1, , , ,260 Insurance 2,000-57, , ,250 Maintenance 2,332 25, , , ,145 Professional Services 6,040 14,250 54, , ,779 Travel and Training 7,510 33,145 36, , ,805 Supplies 36,831 5,968 31, , ,139 Credit Card Fees - 8,500 8, , ,205 Interest and Taxes - 34,200 10, ,600 Depreciation 9, ,136 1,173,120 1,879,264 Other Expenses 2, ,000 49,450 72,000 Total Direct Expenses 7,626,241 8,838,738 2,183,903 8,432,234 28,000,968 All general and administrative expenses are reported in this division

50 Revised Budget and Reporting G&A expenses are allocated to each profit-center based on the reflective cost-driver methods Program 1 Program 2 Program 3 G&A Total Indirect Expense Allocation Salaries/Gross Wages 841,647 1,899, ,828 (3,391,700) - Employee Benefits & Taxes 183, , ,909 (739,539) - Marketing/PR 258, ,164 74,165 (633,317) - IT 40,024 88,740 40,772 (169,536) - Insurance 130, , ,514 (535,300) - Maintenance 164, ,387 78,931 (605,605) - Professional Services 206, ,221 59,107 (504,733) - Travel and Training 39,553 64,821 19,746 (124,120) - Supplies 65,763 76,219 18,832 (160,814) - Credit Card Fees - 345,000 - (345,000) - Depreciation 284, , ,516 (1,173,120) - Other Indirect Expenses 17,797 24,295 7,357 (49,450) - Total Indirect Allocation 2,233,162 4,727,393 1,471,679 (8,432,234) -

51 Revised Budget and Reporting Program 1 Program 2 Program 3 G&A Total Total Indirect Allocation 2,233,162 4,727,393 1,471,679 (8,432,234) - Total Expenses 9,859,403 13,566,131 3,655,582-28,000,968 Operating Revenue less Total Expenses (1,839,719) 841,518 (2,184,640) - (3,189,953) Interest and Endowment Operating Interest Income - 6, ,000 Endowment Draw 745, , ,000 2,130,000 Total Interest & Endowment 745, , ,000-2,136,000 Total Change in Net Assets (1,094,719) 1,647,518 (1,599,640) - (1,053,953) Original bottom line*: (212,000) (313,000) (525,000) (1,059) *Difference due to rounding.

52 CONCLUSION cliftonlarsonallen.com 52

53 CONCLUSION There are multiple types of allocations - each of which are required or used for and mean different things Fully-loaded allocations provide valuable information for decision-making Incorrect or out-dated allocations can dramatically impact how each of your programs appear to perform financially 53

54 Jacqueline Eckman, CPA Principal cliftonlarsonallen.com twitter.com/ CLA_CPAs facebook.com/ cliftonlarsonallen linkedin.com/company/ cliftonlarsonallen 54